Historic Old Dutch Mill.
Kansas' only authentic stone Dutch Mill towers over beautiful City Park, the perfect place for picnicking and horseshoes, feeding the ducks and fishing in the pond, or strolling through the beautiful Flower Gardens. The Old Dutch Mill was built in 1879 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The mill was recently renovated and now grinds wheat to flour while you watch. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 1-5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday by appointment October through March.

The OZ Museum.

The Columbian Theatre.

The story of The Columbian began over one hundred years ago. J. C. Rogers, a Wamego banker, visited the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, also known as the Columbian Exposition. He was astonished at the beauty and scope of the event, which celebrated the 400th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of the new world and the emergence of the United States as a world power.

The glorious "White City," as the fair was known, included 200 buildings on a 633 acre site. It attracted more than 27 million visitors, nearly half of America's population, during the six months it was open. The spectacular architecture, elaborate waterways, fabulous exhibits and nearly iridescent white buildings were the inspiration for Frank Baum when he created the "Emerald City" of Oz several years later.

At the close of the Fair Rogers returned to Chicago where he bought paintings and other artifacts from the fair buildings. These were brought to Wamego to adorn his new theatre, which he named The Columbian. Billed as "The Place of Good Amusements," it was a popular regional site for vaudeville, drama, concerts and community events. Silent films were shown after 1912, and were followed by "talkies" in 1929.

But after World War II mobility engulfed rural American and the old theatre closed in 1950. It was dark for 40 years. In 1990 a group of dedicated visionaries began the process of renovation and reconstruction. Today, following a $2.2 million renovation, The Columbian is once again home to semi-professional theatre, nationally known performers, world class gallery exhibits and, most importantly, six invaluable murals from the U. S. exhibit at The Columbian Exhibition.

These murals, oil on canvass, were painted by German artist E. Theodore Behr. They measure 11' by 17' and grace the walls of the beautifully restored auditorium. Featured in a front page article in the New York Times in August, 1992, the paintings have drawn such dignitaries as Jane Alexander, award-winning actress and current chair of the National Endowment for the Arts to Wamego.

These priceless works of art anchor The Columbian as it reaches out to Kansans, both urban and rural, with a new standard of cultural programming. And in the process fulfilling its mission of "Building Community Through the Arts."

Wamego City Park and Museum Complex. Photographs.
The beautiful 12-acre City Park is the focal point of any visit to Wamego. A stone shelterhouse and 2-acre pond are centrally located in the park, providing picnic areas under a roof adjacent to the fishing pond, stocked with small fish for the children's fishing pleasure. The Old Dutch Mill lies on the east side of the pond and is open for tours on a regular basis.

On the west side of the park is a beautiful Olympic-sized swimming pool and four tennis courts under the lights. To the north are horseshoe pits and a modern play area for the youngsters. To the east, lies the miniature railroad which is open on special occasions for the youngsters. Each of these areas is surrounded by a selection of trees and shrubs which are native to this area.

On the south side of the park is the Museum Complex, featuring the main building with many fine displays, as well as other buildings, including The White Chapel School, an old Log Cabin, and one of the old Frontier Jails. Each has been restored to early day accuracy. The Museum itself opens May 20 for the season and continues to operate until Labor Day. The hours are from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily, and by appointment.

Ditto-Leach Historic House.
The Leach House was built sometime around 1890 by Louis B. Leach, a prominent early-day businessman. The house was made from memory to look like a Villa in the suburbs of Messina, on the island of Sicily. The restoration/reconstruction of the Leach House was started in the spring of 1987 by Dr. Bill and Rose Ditto. It has since been completed and today stands fully restored and available for tours by appointment.

Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home.
Wamego is the birthplace of Walter P. Chrysler, the famed founder of Chrysler Corporation. His boyhood home still stands as a monument on the south side of town and can be toured by appointment.

Beecher Bible and Rifle Church.
The church was established in late June, 1857 by settlers from the Connecticut-Kansas Company. The purpose of the group sponsored by the Company was to create settlers in Kansas that would vote to make Kansas a free state. Reverend Henry Ward Beecher, the great minister from Brooklyn, supplied monies for Sharps Rifles and twenty five Bibles. Thus the name Beecher Bible and Baptist Church.

Louis Vieux Elm.
The worlds largest American Elm.